We definately won't be taking East Grinstead lightly, says Whitstable boss Mark Lane

Thursday 09th September 2010

WHITSTABLE TOWN face a golden opportunity to progress in the FA Cup this weekend as they welcome Sussex League East Grinstead Town to the Belmont Ground with a place in the Second Qualifying Round the prize for the winners of this First Qualifying Round tie, writes Mike Green.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after their midweek Ryman League Division One South defeat to Eastbourne Town, boss Mark Lane was certainly under no illusions as to how important the tie is.

He said: “I’ve been to see East Grinstead last week when they played Hassocks, and they’ve got some old familiar Kent League faces playing for them – Ross Cable (a Kent League journeyman), Luke Piscina (ex Tonbridge Angels when Tony Dolby was manager) and Liam Baitup who was at Eastbourne last year – and to be fair to them they’ve got a good strike force and do play some good football.”

“We definitely won’t be taking them lightly, because if we do, I’m convinced that our FA Cup run won’t be going much further. I know it’s going to be tough game for us despite the gap in the divisions as they play some good football and it’ll be an interesting game, one that I’d like to watch as a neutral!”

Given that so far the Oystermen’s league record is one win from five games, you have to say that a possible relegation battle looms once more making a run in the FA Cup even more vital for club finances.

“It’s not a question that Saturday is a welcome distraction from the League,” Lane said, “there’s a bit of pressure – I know that I was lucky whereby at the end of last season I won more games than we lost. This year it hasn’t started that way, but I’ve only been back from holiday for the last three but it’s disappointing that we couldn’t put two wins together after winning at Horsham last weekend.

“That’s the problem we have last year – we must have that consistency as it shoots you up the league and relaxes people as we’re on a bit of a knife edge at the moment.

“Its very important that we get something out of the weekend as the club get a financial reward – there’s a bit of kudos for the players as they love playing in the FA Cup, and when it comes around there’s an added buzz around the place, and you want to go into hat for the next round.

“But we’ve got to beat East Grinstead first, and looking at the walking wounded we had after Tuesday, we’ll have to have a look and then go again.”

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town v East Grinstead Town
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Saturday 11^th September 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Belmont Ground, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP